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Dear Artists,
It’s been too long and we’re excited to see you again. Otafest is proud to feature local, national, and international artists with a variety of paintings, drawings, handmade products, and more. We welcome artists of all styles and levels to join us in the celebration of Japanese pop culture, media, and art.
Artist Alley is such an important part of our festival and I’m looking forward to working with you in creating some truly unforgettable experiences while keeping everyone safe and included. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Behfar Lotfizadeh
Artist Alley Manager
artist.alley@otafest.com
Want to stay in the know for future Artist Alley information? We e-mail artists each year when we’ve finalized application dates and when we release information packages. To receive these updates, please subscribe to our Artist Alley Mailing List.
Setup
12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Final Setup
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Open to Public
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Restock / Reset
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Open to Public
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Teardown
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
In order to minimize any risk of COVID-19 exposure, Otafest is offering only full tables for Otafest 2022. Otafest has also increased the amount of spacing between artist tables.
Full Table ($250.00 + Service Fee)*
* GST included. Service Fee is 2.9% + $0.30.
** Artist Alley Badges will grant the bearer access to the Exhibitor Hall ONLY so you can get to your table and sell your art. If you want to explore the rest of Otafest (panels, showings, café, etc.), you will need to use your Otafest 2022 pass(es).
Artist applications will be selected in the following manner:
We will inform all applicants by January 15, 2022 via e-mail. Artists who are not awarded a table will automatically be added to a wait list.
Otafest has never had issues with anyone attempting to circumvent the selection system, however should this occur it will result in an automatic ban without notice from this year’s Artist Alley and potentially future Artist Alley events at Otafest’s discretion.
You will receive an email about your application status (accepted/waitlisted) by January 15, 2022.
If you are awarded a table, you will also receive your payment deadline and specific details on how to pay for your table. Payments will be made online, please note that a service fee of 2.9% + $0.30 will apply.
Just an elevator ride away from Otafest, you can book your stay at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel with special rates for Otafest exhibitors!
Connected directly to the Telus Convention Centre and boasting Calgary’s largest standard guestroom available with a single king or two double beds and large windows, the Marriott’s rooms feature beautifully appointed furniture and hypoallergenic Duvets, fitness center, pool access, and wireless internet.
Your presence at your table reflects the way patrons perceive Otafest’s quality, professionalism, and polish.
We require your displays and showcases be ready and you be present at your table during the hours the Exhibitor Hall is open to the public. Unfortunately, we’ve had issues with this in the past and so we must enforce a ban for absentee Artists.
If you have an emergency, please e-mail us as soon as possible. These are handled on a case by case basis.
Power and internet access are available, however you must order them directly through the Calgary Telus Convention Centre Tradeshow Forms. Otafest is not able to order these services for you. As these particular services are provided direct to you, if you have any questions please contact the Calgary Telus Convention Centre.
The sale of weapons and/or props resembling realistic weapons is prohibited at Otafest.
A “weapon” is defined to be any item that is designed to cause injury or death, or anything a person actually uses or intends to use to cause injury or death. Also includes any item which is designed, used, or intended for use to threaten or intimidate.
A “prop resembling a realistic weapon” is defined as any prop that can be mistaken for a weapon by a casual observer at any distance.
Props that abide by the Otafest Weapons & Props Policy may be sold.
As part of Otafest’s various contests, patrons will be given gift certificates for use in the Exhibitor Hall. We ask that you accept the certificates for the value indicated as an all-or-nothing item (i.e. don’t give any change).
At the end of each day, please bring all gift certificates collected to the Exhibitor Information Desk to be paid out. Please note you will not be compensated for lost certificates and should treat them as cash. A sample certificate will be shown prior to the start of the festival so you’ll know what to expect.
If you wish to include a charged raffle or draw, then you must obtain a raffle license and notify Otafest with proof of license. Otafest must also approve the raffle. Please refer to the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis site for details on license requirements.
Otafest reserves the right to remove unlawful or unauthorized raffles or draws during the event.
To receive your badges, check in with Otafest staff at the Exhibitor Relations booth located just outside of the hall entrance.
Tables in the hall will be labeled by number and artist alias or name. Please note that artists do not have access to the loading dock for setup unless specifically requested and approved. If you require access to the loading dock, please notify us by Sunday, March 22, 2022. A $75.00 fee will be charged for access.
Thank you for your interest, however applications have closed and our wait list is full.
May 21-22, 2022
Calgary Telus Convention Centre
120 9 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0P3
info@otafest.com
Most photos on this website are courtesy of
Elyse Bouvier, Brenrich Carandang, Plutopia Productions, Ryan Logan, Dani Sato, Chi Tang